“Yalena: Could you always open your door?Kiki: Yes. Fence, too.Yalena Why don't you?Kiki: Hay sweet. Fresh water. Peppermints.”

“Trust, Kiki said, Trust is peppermints.”

“Lavender Lady not go again," Kiki said in my mind."I'll try to avoid it. No promises, though."She huffed. "Next time Kiki go.""A Horsefinder?""Help Lavender Lady.”

“Before Kiki and I headed toward the Keep, I thanked my friends.“For what? We didn’t do anything,” Janco grumbled.“For caring enough to follow my guards. And the next time, I might need the help.”“There better not be a next time,” Ari said, giving me a stern look.“How touching,” Janco said, pretending to wipe his eyes.“Get going, Yelena. I don’t want you to see me cry.” He faked a sniffle.“I’m sure your ego can handle it,” I said. “Or will you need to beat up some trainees to feel like a man again?”“Very funny,” he said.”

“Janco leaned on the threshold of my door with his face creased in annoyance. “Did she just—”“Yes.”“But I don’t—”“Yes. You do. We both stink.”“Well, I’m not—”“Yes. You are.”He huffed. “You won’t let—”“No. No complaining. Let’s go.” I grabbed a clean shirt and pants from my saddlebags.“Well, she could have handled it better,” he grumped.“No. She couldn’t.”He settled into a sulky silence as we visited the bathhouse.”

“I'd wish you luck, but I don't think it would help.''Why not?''My lady, you make your own luck.”

“Pushing magic toward the candle, I willed it to light. Nothing happened.Irys made a strangled sound and the candle burned. “Are you directing your magic to the candle?”“Yes. Why?”“You just ordered me to light the candle for you,” Irys said in exasperation. “And I did it.”